Digging In: Growing Outdoor Classrooms
BEHAVIOR MANAGEMENT TIPS
How to encourage your students’ best behavior in the Outdoor Classroom as suggested
by the Year 1 and 2 school teams.
General Considerations…
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When students are involved in building and planting the outdoor classroom,
they are more likely to take care of it.
Allow more flexibility than in the classroom, i.e. let kids be a little louder
Visit the outdoor classroom frequently so that learning outside is not a unique
experience.
Provide opportunities for structured movement, i.e. run to the garden, roll down
the hill.
If you have kids prone to difficult behaviors, such as running away, bring another
adult outside.
Teach like you do inside.
Explicitly teach what respect looks like outside so they know how to be
respectful.
Remind the students that this is not recess. You are outside YES, but you are there
to learn AND have fun.
Remember the head count!
Create and discuss behavior guidelines inside so the kids know what to do when
they are outside.
Have the kids identify the safety rules rather than the teachers.
Post the behavior guidelines somewhere, specifically the ones about garden
tools (i.e. where to put them when finished or not using, keep them below the
waist).
With regards to successfully completing lessons and activities…
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Explain what will be happening inside first and then again outside.
Have a specific gathering spot to preview the plan for the day when you get
outside. Return to that spot to wrap up at the end of the lesson.
Select and distribute jobs/roles specifically for various kids. Go over the roles
assigned to each student.
Divide into small groups and spread them out.
Set up stations that students can rotate through.
Use a visual sand timer to help kids track time.
Give time to explore/wander the first few times. This works best if done before
expecting them to be structured. Gradually increase the structure during the
year.
Train students in cooperative learning techniques in the classroom before going
outdoors.
Digging In: Growing Outdoor Classrooms
With regards to encouraging good listening…
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Have the kids form a circle so no one is blocked behind other person.
Have a signal to alert students when you have something to share or when to
circle up, for example a whistle or noise maker to get your students attention
when they are at a distance. Practice using the signal for circling up.
Be aware of the sun- have kids sitting in the shade when possible, or facing away
from the sun when not.
Planning ahead to encourage positive behavior…
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Hear what the kids want to do.
Have them be scientists (or farmers or agro-ecologists, etc) collecting data. Give
each kid a clip board and pencil to remind them that they are doing real
fieldwork. If this is done right and efficiently, the kids will have an exciting time
being outside talking and learning.
A sample station list for students to rotate through at 20 min increments is as
follows:
o Station 1) Students work independently, writing in their field journals
making noted of the temperature, weather conditions, and natural history
observations.
o Station 2) Students work with the teacher of plant dissection activity.
o Station 3) Students work independently on a math activity measuring and
answering questions about plant growth on a worksheet.
Have a plan.
Have activities for early finishers.
Have a “digging area” where kids can always dig.
Provide several different activities to choose from.
Be prepared for deal with bees, mosquitoes, muddy feet and scrapped knees
(always have a first aid kit nearby), sun, and thirsty kids.
If kids are getting too dirty, have them wear an art smock.
Design your garden for success
o Wide very clear pathways between beds
o Obvious circling places
o Places that have plants that inspire wonder should have easy access
o Places with sensitive plants should be clearly labeled